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Commercial factor VIII associated hepatitis, 1974–75, in the United Kingdom: a retrospective survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. Craske
Affiliation:
Public Health Laboratory, Manchester
P. Kirk
Affiliation:
Treloar Haemophilia Centre, Alton, Hants
B. Cohen
Affiliation:
Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London NW9 5HT
Elise M. Vandervelde
Affiliation:
Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London NW9 5HT
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Summary

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A retrospective survey of transfusion hepatitis associated with a brand of commercial Factor VIII was carried out in 24 Haemophilia Centres from January 1974 until December 1975. Of 371 patients who were transfused with this product, and were followed up, 78 cases of hepatitis affecting 66 patients were found (17·7%). Two types of hepatitis were observed: hepatitis B and non-B hepatitis, the latter with an incubation period of between 8 and 60 days. Twelve patients contracted two types of hepatitis, non-B followed by hepatitis B. Only one patient died after contracting hepatitis B. Four of the suspect batches of concentrate were found to be positive for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay.

There was evidence that the presence of hepatitis B surface antibody in a patient's serum prior to exposure was associated with immunity to hepatitis B. Evidence was presented suggesting that the non-B hepatitis observed was not due to hepatitis A. The factors affecting the incidence of transfusion hepatitis in haemophiliacs were discussed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

References

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